Page Contributor(s): Photos: ASO / Unipublic / Cxcling / Naike Ereñozaga
INTRO
Stage 13 stretches 192.8 km from the Costa Tropical resort of Almuñécar deep into the Granada interior to Loja, a long and lumpy day that tests endurance more than any single climb. The Cat. 1 Venta de la Cebada arrives early, at km 31, followed by the gentler Alto del Legionario at the midpoint, before Puerto de Granada (Cat. 2, 5.6%) crests just 37 km from the finish — close enough to matter if the race is on. With nearly 200 km in the legs, this is a stage where breakaways often go the distance.
PLAN YOUR ROUTE
We've partnered with Sherpa-Map.com to bring you the best route planning tool. With a PRO Membership you can use this climb as a reference when creating your route. Venta de la Cebada (Cat. 1, 14.1 km at 5.1%) is a long but manageable grade, more a war of attrition than a leg-breaker. Alto del Legionario is longer still at 15.4 km but barely averages 3.1%, closer to a false flat than a true climb. The sting is in Puerto de Granada, a shorter, sharper 7.4 km at 5.6% that arrives with legs already tired from nearly 150 km of racing — the most likely launch point for late attacks.
The route runs through classic Andalusian countryside — valleys, olive groves, and whitewashed villages like Dúrcal, Padul, and Montefrío — on well-maintained regional roads. Surfaces are consistently good with light traffic away from Granada's outskirts. Almuñécar has ample coastal parking near the start; Loja's town center can get congested near race time, so arrive early or park on the periphery.
A compact crank with a mid-range cassette (25 or 28-tooth) covers all three climbs comfortably — none of them ever gets genuinely steep. Given the sheer distance, comfort and efficiency matter more than climbing-specific gearing; a well-fitted bike and a strong group will carry you further than a lower gear ratio on a day like this.
Almuñécar is a popular beach resort on the Costa Tropical with plenty of hotels and easy access from Málaga or Granada airports. Loja, known as the 'City of Water' for its many fountains, sits closer to Granada city, which makes an excellent base with its Alhambra and rich Moorish heritage nearby. The route passes through the scenic Lecrín Valley, worth a slower exploration if you have extra days.
ROUTE MAP
